Car coupler support means



Sept. 27, 1955 Filed Oct. 8, 1951 W. J. METZGER CAR COUPLER SUPPORT MEANS 3 Sheets-Sheet l Am. A* A INVENTOR. W/LL/AM J METZGER ATTORNEY Sept. 27, 1955 w. J. METzGi-:R 2,718,968

CAR COUPLER SUPPRT MEANS Filed Oct. 8, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WILL/AM J /V/ETZGER ATTR/VE Y Sept. 27, 1955 W, J, METZGER 2,718,968

CAR COUPLER SUPPORT MEANS Fig. 7

Filed Oct. 8, 1951 INVENTOR. W/LL/A/w J METZGER ATTORNEY v United States Patent O CAR coUPLER SUPPORT MEANS William J. Metzger, East Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to National Malleable and Steel Castings Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 8, 1951, Serial No. 250,260

Claims. (Cl. 213-61) This invention relates to railway cars, and more particularly to a detachable support for a car coupler of the type which is adapted foi both horizontal and vertical angling.

The invention concerns an improved coupler support construction involving a striking casting member which is provided with a readily detachable bottom support member. The detachable support member is adapted for carrying resilient means for supporting the car coupler to permit vertical angling thereof.

This arrangement is particularly adapted for use with an interlocking type of coupler in which relative vertical movement between two coupled couplers is prevented and, consequently, provision must be made for allowing vertical angling of the couplers about their pivotal connections to the draft rigging.

A feature of the invention resides in the fact that disassembly of the device for the purpose, for example, of replacing the coupler supporting springs is simplified, since it is unnecessary to remove the coupler during this process. Also, the molding and finishing of the striking casting and the support member are considerably simplified over that of a unitary striking casting in which the bottom support portion is of integral construction.

It is an object of my invention to provide a novel, detachable support for a car coupler which includes resilient means for permitting vertical angling of the coupler.

Another object is to provide a detachable coupler support which enables the disassembly of the parts without removal of the coupler.

A further object is to provide a coupler support which forms a rigid structure with the member to which it is attached and is readily detachable therefrom.

A still further object is to provide a detachable car coupler support which, when assembled in one position, provides for resilient support of the coupler and when assembled in another position provides a rigid support for the coupler, in the event a rigid support is required for emergency purposes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction With the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a transverse vertical sectional view of an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view taken along line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. l, with the coupler and yoke shown in full.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational View.

Fig. 5 is an end detail of the coupler support member.

Fig. 6 is a front detail view of the coupler support member.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view of a further modification of the invention.

Fig. 9 is an elevational view, partly in sectionof the construction shown in Fig. 8.

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Fig. 10v is a view taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view showing the coupler support member applied in reversed position from that slllown in Fig. 8 to form a rigid support for the car coup er.

Referring to Figs. 1-6 of the drawings, the invention comprises, in its general arrangement, a striking casting 10 which is suitably secured to the car center sill 12 and end sill 14, a detachable support member 16, a coupler carrier 18, and carrier supporting springs 20. The shank 22 of the car coupler rests on carrier 1S. The detail of the connection between the coupler shank 22 and the yoke 24 has been omitted since it forms no part of the present invention. However, this connection is of the type which permits both horizontal and vertical angling of the coupler. A transverse yoke support plate 26 is carried by striking casting 10.

Striking casting 10 comprises a top wall 28 and depending side walls 30 forming therebetween a coupler shank-receiving opening 32. A front abutment portion 34 extends downwardly from top wall 28 for engagement with the horn 36 of the coupler in the event excessive bufling loads are applied to the coupler.

At the lower end of each side wall 30 is provided an outwardly extending horizontal` flange 38 and depending from thisflange is an ear 40 to which the support member 16 is secured by means of a bolt or rivet 42. The lower end of each wall 30 is also provided with an inwardly extending flange 44 which provides a shoulder 45 for engagement with a lug 46 on carrier 18 to limit upward movement thereof. Springs 20 are preferably assembled under sufficient initial compression to hold lugs 46 in engagement with shoulders 45 and thereby maintain the coupler in horizontal operating position. It will be clear that the carrier 18 is movable downwardly against the resistance of springs 20 from the position shown in response to downward angling of the coupler.

Support member 16 comprises transverse walls 48 and 49, end walls 50 and bottom wall 52 which has upwardly sloping end portions 54 joined to the end walls. Each end portion 54 is provided with an opening 56 for inspection of the springs. Extending outwardly from each end of member 16 is a pair of spaced lugs 58 between which is received ear 40 of the striking casting. Ear 40 and lugs S8 are provided with aligned openings for receiving rivets 42. Spring positioning dowels 60 are provided on bottom wall 52 while similar dowels 62 are provided on carrier 18.

In service, downward movement of carrier 18 is limited by the engagement of shoulders 64 and 65 thereon with the top surfaces 66 and 67 of transverse walls 48 and 49, respectively, these surfaces being so sloped as to have full surface engagement with shoulders 64 and 65. Upward movement of carrier 18 is limited by the engagement between anges 44 on the striking casting and lugs 46 on the carrier. v

Disassembly of the device is very easily effected as follows: The coupler is rst suitably supported in horizontal position. Rivets 42 may then be removed and support member 16, together with springs 20 are lowered. Thereafter carrier 18 is removed by sliding it forwardly out of the striking casting. It will be noted that the coupler remains in place during the disassembly process.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7, each side wall 30 of the striking casting is provided with a pair of attachment ears 70. Support member 16 is provided with three spaced lugs 72 for receiving ears 70 therebetween. These ears and lugs are provided with alignedopenings for receivirg\bolt 74 for securing the support member to walls 30. It will be understood that a rivet may be used in place of bolt 74, if desired. In this construc- 3 tion a somewhat lesser shearing stress is applied to bolts 74 than in the previous embodiment in which a single ear 40 is provided at each side of the striking casting.

It will be appreciated that the molding and finishing of striking casting 10 and support member 16 are considerably simplified and less expensive than if these parts were formed integrally. Moreover, when member 16 is secured to striking casting 10 by means of rivets or bolts, a rigid structure of adequate strength is provided.

My invention possesses the important advantage of making possible the replacement of the supporting springs 20 without the necessity of removing the coupler. The process of detaching support member 16 from striking casting 10 is relatively simple, as afore-described.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 8, 9, l and l1 the support member Si? is so constructed that it may be secured to striking casting l in reversed position from that shown in Fig. 8 to provide a rigid support for the coupler, as seen in Fig. 1l. In this construction the striking casting lib remains unchanged from that of the previous embodiments. Likewise, the coupler carrier 1S is the same as before.

Support member di) is formed with front and rear transverse walls 32 and 84, respectively, and a bottom wall 86 which is fiat throughout its extent so as to provide on its underside a horizontal coupler supporting surface 88 when the member is reversed. Support member 80 is also provided with end walls 9@ from each of which extend preferably three attachment lugs 92 between which are received ears 70 on the striking casting. Lugs 92 and ears '.70 are provided with aligned openings for receiving a rivet 94 for securing member 80 to the striking casting.

It will be observed that both end walls 90 and lugs 92 lie beneath horizontal ange 3S on the striking casting, with lugs 92 being symmetrical about a horizontal central plane passing through the center of the rivet-receiving openings in the lugs. The top and bottom surfaces 96 and 98 of end walls 90 are equidistant from the aforementioned horizontal central plane. This construction enables reversal of the support member from the position of Fig. 8 to that of Fig. 1l without interference between ange 38 on the striking casting and lugs 92 and end wall 90 on the support member. Also, the portions 82a and 34a of transverse walls 82 and S4 which are below' end walls 90, are of a lesser transverse dimension than the spacing of side walls 30 of striking casting l0 so that the lower portion of member Si) will t between walls 3i) when the member is reversed, as in Fig. 1l.

It will be observed that walls 82 and 84 have upwardly y extending portions 82b and 84h which are disposed between side walls 30 when member 8l) is in normal position, as in Figs. 8, 9 and l0. Bottom wall S6 is notched at the ends, as at 10i), to clear lugs 44 on the striking casting.

Bottom surface 88 of wall 86 is preferably disposed approximately the same distance below the center of rivets 94 as the top surface 192 of carrier 18 is disposed above the center of these rivets. In order to utilize the same springs as in the previous embodiments, the lower spring seats 104 are elevated above bottom wall 86 by upwardly extending bosses 106.

In the position shown in Fig. 8, the coupler support functions in the identical manner as in the previous embodiments in providing resilient support of the coupler. However, in the event of a failure of the coupler of the interlocking type the support member 80 can be disconnected to remove springs 29 and carrier 1S and then be reversed and reapplied to the position shown in Fig. ll, after which a coupler of the non-interlocking type, such as the A. A. R. Standard E Coupler may be applied. A rigid support which is desirable for the non-interlocking coupler is thus provided by wall S6.

The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation,

and I have no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

l. In combination, a striking casting comprising a pair of spaced side walls, the lower end of each of said walls having an integral outwardly extending horizontal ange, an attachment ear extending downwardly from the underside of said flange and a support member bridging the ends of said walls and forming a rigid connection therebetween, said member being detachably secured thereto, said member comprising a pair of transverse vertical walls, end walls, and a bottom wall forming a pocket for receiving spring means for supporting a car coupler, said member having at each end thereof a pair of spaced lugs underlying said flange for receiving said ear therebetween, said lugs and ear having aligned openings for receiving means for detachably securing said member to said side walls.

2. In combination, a striking casting comprising a top wall and spaced side walls depending therefrom partly defining a coupler-receiving opening, the lower end of each of said side walls terminating in inwardly extending stop means for engagement with an associated coupler carrier element to limit upward movement thereof and having an outwardly extending horizontal flange disposed in line with said stop means, and a -support member dening the lower end of said opening and forming a rigid connection between said walls, said member being detachably secured to said casting, said member having an outwardly extending attachment lug at each end thereof, each said flange having a depending ear disposed adjacent said lug, said lug and ear having aligned openings for receiving means for detachably securing said member to said walls.

3. Car coupler support means comprising a member having a top wall and spaced side walls partly defining a coupler-receiving opening, the lower ends of said side walls terminating in outwardly extending anges, said flanges having lugs depending therefrom, a support member bridging the lower ends of said side walls and being detachably connected to said lugs, said support member comprising transverse vertical walls, end walls and a bottom wall, spring means carried by said support member and engaging said bottom wall, a vertically movable coupler carrier member resting on said springs and extending into said opening and stop means on the inner sides of the lower ends of said side Walls opposite said flanges for engagement with said carrier member to limit upward movement thereof.

4. In combination, a striking casting comprising a pair of side walls partly defining a coupler-receiving opening, the lower end of each of said walls terminating in an outwardly extending flange having a depending attachment ear, a support member bridging the lower end of said side walls and being detachably secured thereto, said member comprising spaced transverse walls, end walls and a bottom wall forming a pocket therebetween, said member having outwardly extending lugs disposed intermediate the top and bottom thereof for detachable securement of said member to said ears, said end walls being disposed beneath said side walls, portions of said transverse walls being received between said side walls, the inner sides of said side walls having downwardly facing shoulders adapted for engagement with an associated coupler carrier element to limit upward movement thereof, said bottom wall when said member is attached to said striking casting in one position providing a seat for spring means received between said transverse walls for resiliently supporting a car coupler, said bottom wall when said member is attached to said striking casting in reversed position providing a rigid support for a car coupler.

5. In combination, a lstriking casting comprising a pair of side walls partly dening -a coupler-receiving opening, the lower end of each of said walls terminating in an outwardly extending flange, said flange having a depending ear, a reversible support member bridging the lower end of said side walls and being detachably secured thereto, said member comprising at each end thereof an attachment lug extending beneath said ilange and disposed adjacent said ear, said ear and lug having aligned openings for receiving securing means, said member having transverse walls extending above and below said lugs and being -of lesser length than the spacing of said side walls so as to be received therebetween, a bottom wall joining said transverse walls and a spring seat on said bottom wall, springs on said seat and a coupler carrier element disposed between said transverse walls and being mounted on said springs when said member is in one position, said support member being adapted to be secured to said side walls in reversed position whereby said bottom wall extends into said coupler-receiving opening to form a rigid support for a car coupler.

6. Car coupler support means comprising a member having a top wall and spaced side walls partly dening a coup1er-receiving opening, said side walls having downwardly facing shoulders -on the inner sides thereof, and a reversible support member bridging the lower ends of said side walls, said support member comprising a plurality of vertically extending walls and a horizontal wall forming a housing, certain of said walls of said support member being disposed so as to underlie said side walls and other of said walls extending between said side walls, means for securing said support member to said firstnamed member in a plurality of positions relative to said first-named member, said support member in one position and said shoulders serving to support and position associated means for carrying a coupler of the interlocking type, and in another position said horizontal wall serving as a rigid support for a coupler of a non-interlocking type.

7. Car coupler support means comprising a member having a top wall and spaced side walls partly defining a coupler-receiving opening, said side walls terminating in downwardly facing shoulders on the inner sides thereof, and a reversible support member bridging the lower ends of said side walls, said support member comprising transverse vertical walls, end walls and a bottom wall forming a spring-receiving pocket, means for securing said support member to said rst-named member in a plurality of positions relative to said iirst-named member, said bottom wall having on one side thereof a seat adapted for supporting a spring when said support member is in one position, said shoulders being adapted for engagement with an associated coupler carrier to limit upward movement thereof, said bottom wall having on its other side a surface adapted to provide a rigid support for a car coupler disposed substantially above said shoulders when said support member is in another position.

8. A striking casting member comprising a top wall and a pair of spaced depending side walls forming therewith a coupler shank receiving opening, the lower extremity of each of said side walls being formed on its inner side with an inwardly extending flange adapted for engagement with an associated coupler carrier member to limit upward movement of the same and on its outer side with a horizontal flange substantially in line with said first-named flange, said second-named flange having a depending ear adapted for connection to an associated support member bridging the lower ends of said side walls, said ear being disposed outwardly of said rstnamed flange.

9. A support member for connection to the lower ends of the side walls of an associated striking casting member, said support member comprising a pair of transverse vertical walls, end walls and a bottom wall forming therebetween a pocket for carrying associated spring means, each of said end walls having an outwardly extending attachment lug, each lug having a horizontal opening therethrough and being symmetrical about a horizontal central plane passing through the center of said opening, said transverse walls extending above and below said end walls, said extending portions of said transverse walls having their ends disposed inwardly of said end walls.

10. A support member constructed in accordance with claim 9 in which said bottom wall is formed on one side with a seat adapted for supporting a spring when said member is connected to the striking casting in one position and on its other side with a surface adapted for rigidly supporting a car coupler when said member is connected to the striking casting in another position.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,719,088 Smith July 2, 1929 1,921,696 OConnor Aug. 8, 1933 2,043,090 Barrows June 2, 1936 2,401,823 Gilpin June 11, 1946 2,515,964 Metzger July 18, 1950 2,570,742 Zeidler Oct. 9, 1951 

